What is Perseverance?

The dictionary defines perseverance as "the steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement." Or as the Beatle's song said, "just keep on keeping on."

Let's look at an example of perseverance: the career of Milton Hershey. A fourth grade drop out, he became a printer's apprentice. He got fired. Next, he convinced a candy maker to let him work for him. After finishing his apprenticeship, he opened a candy business and failed. He opened a second candy factory and failed again. Then he tried a third candy factory and failed a third time. Now, at his point, most people would say, "Milton, three strikes and you're out. You need to find some other line of work."

Fortunately, the three strikes rule applies only to baseball and criminal convictions. Hershey then founded the Lancaster Caramel Company. His caramel recipe was successful. He later sold this company and started the Hershey Company. The rest is history. The term Hershey bar became a synonym for Mike chocolate.

That is but one example, and you can be sure that as you start to look around, you will be presented with but hundreds and hundreds of examples of the most successful people who have gotten where they are by demonstrating steady perseverance. The level of success that they experience can be attributed to this trait. Most people look at the current situation and do not consider the steps that successful individuals have taken to get where they are today.

As you develop personally and professionally, make sure you take time daily to enhance the world class trait of perseverance.